The Press., 1887-04-07
KIENzI M,GUFFIN,s PLOT.

It. was midnight. The Podunk parish church was enshrouded in darkness. Sud- denly the silence was broken by the sound of a healthy footstep. A man was ap- proachinR tue hscred edifice, in his hand a dark lantern. Only little music presto c0gitGto-wa needed to make the scepe MI intensely thrilling one but, as the stranger by some oversight had neglected to bring au orchestra with him, this effect had to be dispensed with.
 Slowly and cautiously this my sterious man, ~hose form was enveloped in long black coat, and Whnse face was artially hidden by slouch hat, picked his way among the graves until le reached il 0 ivy-covertd church.
 Courage, urage he murmured hoarsely. "Let me not forget all that de- pends upon the entire success of this great scheme"
 With these words he fitted skel.t, h. key in the lock of the church door, and in another moment he stood inside the large vacant building. .. ..
 Guided by the rays of the lantern, he hurried down the center aisle and entered small room in the rear of the chancel In one corner of this apartment stood an iron-bound chest.
 So far, 80 good" muttered the strange visitor. In few moments he had succeeded in forcing the lock of the chest, which proved to be filled with books and papers. Tn greAt agitation he seiz-d a volume, upon the cover. of which were the words, "Par. ish Record. With trembling hands he opened the aged book and turned to the record of births. A cry of triumph es- capped his lips as his eyes rested upon these words:
 Born November 20, 1857, Rienzi McGuf. | fin"
 He drew a pen-knife from his pocket, and was in the act of erasing the date, when the sound of heavy footstep behind him caused him to turn quickly. He heard an exclamation of dismay as he found himself confronted by the old sexton.
 "Rienzi McGuffin P' burst from the lips of the aged man. "You here at this houl of the night And what are you doing Altering the date in the record of youi own birth T.! What means this, boy 2"
 Mercy, mercyl" pleaded the young man.
 "Mercy," said the sexton, sternly, "cos'r money. Have you a stray V about you ?
 ''1 have. If transfer it to your keep ing, will you agree to let me fix up thi record to suit myself?"
 "Well, dunno. What do you want t, do it forl''
 "I will explain. My wife has contract ed the habit of making me expensive pres ents on all festive occasions. Of course have to foot the bills for them"
 ]I seep murmured the old man, symps thetically.
 My birthday" resumed McGufin (which occurs on November 20th-nex week-is festive occasion conse quentl shall have to pay out large wealth fo gifts for myself unless can accomplish the purpose which brought me here to night"
 (Which was-?"
 "To change the date of my birth to De cember 25th-Christmus. Then one pres ent will do for both holidays, and I shal be spared the necessity of dining at a five cent restaurant for six weeks to come. D you grasp the idea, old man ?"
 "You have great head, said the sex ton, admiringly. "Hand over the V, m. boy"
 Speeches. with emotion, Rienzi McGui fin gave the aged man the sum he asked.
 In few minutes both of the men haC taken their departure, and again darkness and silence was over all. The deed wa done.-7Td-Bits